One of my most vibrant memories of elementary school is the day before Winter Break in which my elementary school teacher gathered the class seated criss-cross-apple-sauce on the communal rug and opened all of the gifts we had brought her for the holidays. My mom was famous for her homemade almond roca candy, and having an older brother meant my current teacher most likely had gotten a tin of that renowned roca two years prior and knew what to expect from the Zuercher family. Each gift was opened with care, and to the best of my recollection, my teacher reacted with genuine delight and appreciation for whatever happened to be gifted from each family. I’ve always assumed that my teacher absolutely adored the tin of almond roca we gave her, but I have no way of really knowing that. All I know for sure is that I definitely felt like she did.
As a classroom teacher now I always try to keep this childhood feeling in mind during the regular gift giving times. If a student brings you a gift, literally ANY gift, it means something special. That student, or the family of that student, made an effort to let you know that you mean something to them. That is a special thing, and should not be overlooked.
Did they bring you a mug with a cliche teacher quote on it that you already have three of in your surplus mug cabinet at home? Well, that student noticed that you drink coffee in the morning and wanted you to have a new mug to enjoy it in.
Did you receive a partially used Target gift card with $3.41 on it? This might be literally the only thing the family could afford to give, which means they probably couldn’t afford to give it to you, but they did anyway. What an amazing gesture!
Have you been given a single package of sticky notes that you can get from the front office at pretty much any time during the year? Maybe that student really loved the Quiz-Quiz-Trade activity you did with sticky notes last month to review linear functions and wanted to do it again.
Is a student presenting you with a suspicious looking non-descript baked good in a beat up plastic baggie? Acknowledge the time and effort it took them to make that, and ask them about the special family recipes they love to make during the holidays.
No matter what the gift is, it is special because of the reason it is being given. That student cares about you and is taking the time to let you know. Do your best to show genuine appreciation for any gift a student brings you, whether it is extravagant, simple, used, leaking, or possibly still alive.
Well, maybe not that last one.
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